At Least 11 Killed in a heart-wrenching incident, at least 11 people lost their lives and several others sustained injuries when a passenger train ran over them near Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district late on January 21, 2025. The accident occurred near Bhusawal, along the busy Mumbai–Howrah rail route, At Least 11 Killed where a group of passengers, reportedly alighting from a delayed express train, were struck by another oncoming train. This tragic event has plunged the entire region into mourning and has once again raised pressing questions about rail safety, passenger management, and the need for better safeguards in India’s vast railway network.
The Incident: What Happened?
According to initial reports from local authorities and the railway officials, At Least 11 Killed the incident happened around 10:45 PM on a poorly lit stretch of the railway tracks near Jalgaon’s Bhusawal station. The victims had reportedly deboarded the Howrah-Mumbai Superfast Express at Bhusawal due to a delay and were crossing the tracks on foot, intending to reach another platform for their onward journey.
Unaware of the approaching train, the passengers were struck by the Gorakhpur-Bandra Express, which was traveling at high speed. The victims did not have sufficient time to react to the fast-approaching train, leading to devastating consequences. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, At Least 11 Killed with many screaming and running for safety as others fell to the tracks.
“People were trying to cross the tracks because they wanted to change platforms. Many didn’t even notice the speeding train,” said a local eyewitness who was present at Bhusawal station at the time of the incident.
The impact of the train on the victims was severe, with fatalities occurring instantly for many of them. Rescue teams recovered bodies strewn along the tracks, At Least 11 Killed and injured passengers were rushed to the nearby district hospital in Jalgaon.
The Casualties and Injuries
As of now, the death toll has risen to 11, though officials fear it may increase as some of the injured remain in critical condition. At least 20 people sustained injuries ranging from minor bruises to critical trauma. Those critically injured are being treated in Bhusawal and Jalgaon government hospitals, At Least 11 Killed while arrangements have been made to transfer severe cases to bigger hospitals in Nashik and Mumbai.
The identities of some victims have been confirmed, while the identification process for others is still underway. Local authorities have reported that most of the deceased were daily laborers or families returning home after completing festive celebrations.
Chief Medical Officer of the district hospital, Dr. Sunil Patil, confirmed the casualties, saying:
“Emergency responders rushed several injured passengers to our facility, but unfortunately, At Least 11 Killed many were beyond saving when they were brought in. Some are in serious condition, and their treatment is ongoing.”
Lack of Basic Infrastructure and Safety Measures
Preliminary investigations suggest that the lack of basic infrastructure, particularly proper signage and lighting, played a crucial role in the tragedy. Bhusawal is a key junction in Maharashtra’s rail network, handling numerous trains every day, yet the station’s platforms and infrastructure are reportedly poorly equipped to manage large passenger volumes. 
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The affected stretch, near Bhusawal station, reportedly has limited fencing and pedestrian overbridges, forcing passengers to risk their lives while crossing multiple railway tracks. According to locals and railway staff, it is common for passengers to bypass overbridges and walk directly across the tracks, At Least 11 Killed especially when connecting trains are delayed.
Railway expert and activist Ashok Jain commented on the safety gap, saying:
“This tragic accident reflects the failure to implement basic railway safety measures. In a station as busy as Bhusawal, there should be enough functioning footbridges, proper lighting, At Least 11 Killed and adequate staff to guide passengers. Unfortunately, these simple measures were missing.”
Additionally, it has been pointed out that proper announcements were not made at the station to inform passengers about train arrivals, leaving many vulnerable on the tracks.
Response from the Railways and Government
The Ministry of Railways responded to the accident, calling it “deeply unfortunate” and promising swift action. A high-level inquiry has been ordered into the incident, At Least 11 Killed led by senior railway officials and safety experts. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced ex-gratia compensation for the families of the deceased and injured.
“We are saddened by this tragic incident near Jalgaon. The safety of passengers is our utmost priority, At Least 11 Killed and such incidents should not happen. The Ministry has decided to give Rs. 10 lakh compensation to the families of each deceased, Rs. 2 lakh to those severely injured, and Rs. 50,000 to those with minor injuries,” said Vaishnaw in a press release.
Local MPs and Maharashtra government officials also visited the site of the tragedy and the injured in hospital to extend support. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured full assistance to the victims’ families and pledged state funding for additional financial aid.
Growing Concerns Over Railway Safety
India’s railways, one of the largest and busiest networks in the world, have long faced safety challenges. The accident in Jalgaon has reignited the debate on passenger safety and the modernization of the railway network to prevent such tragedies. Overcrowded platforms, inadequate footbridges, a lack of pedestrian barricades, and improper signaling are recurring issues that plague stations, particularly in high-traffic areas.
While the Indian Railways has undertaken multiple modernization projects, At Least 11 Killed such as upgrading signaling systems, building overbridges, and introducing automatic doors, their implementation has been inconsistent, especially in smaller towns and junctions like Bhusawal.
Railway safety activist Raghavendra Sharma criticized the slow pace of reforms, stating:
“The Railways need to prioritize passenger safety with urgency. Incidents like the Jalgaon tragedy aren’t isolated—they are the result of neglecting infrastructure upgrades and safety awareness campaigns over decades. While big cities see investment in state-of-the-art stations, smaller towns continue to struggle with basic safety amenities.”
Calls for passenger awareness campaigns have also grown louder. Many believe there is a need to educate the public about the risks of crossing railway tracks without proper attention and guidance.
Eyewitness Accounts: A Tale of Tragedy and Heroism
Eyewitnesses of the incident recounted the devastating moments of the collision, At Least 11 Killed with some stepping in to help injured passengers amid chaos. Local residents near the accident site and railway staff worked through the night to retrieve the dead and assist emergency responders.
Rajesh Pawar, an eyewitness who managed to pull two injured passengers to safety, At Least 11 Killed said:
“It happened so quickly. People didn’t realize a train was coming because of the dim lights and noise. Many were crossing casually. Those few seconds turned into a nightmare. It was heartbreaking to see people trying to save their family members.”
Another witness, Meena Sharma, who was traveling with her family on the same train, said:
“There was complete panic. Those crossing the tracks had no idea of the speeding train until it was too late. Even we, standing on the platform, were terrified when we heard the impact.”
Amid the chaos, emergency responders faced delays in accessing the site due to narrow roads and overcrowded railway property, prompting calls for better disaster preparedness in railways.
Political Fallout and Public Reactions
The tragedy near Jalgaon has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, At Least 11 Killed with political leaders accusing the central government of neglecting railway safety in its focus on expanding operations. Opposition parties in Maharashtra have demanded accountability from the Ministry of Railways and pointed to previous incidents of rail mishaps in the state.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated:
“This is not just an accident but a reflection of systemic failures in India’s railway network. Despite tall claims about railway reforms and modernization, At Least 11 Killed passengers continue to pay with their lives due to poor infrastructure and negligence.”
Public reactions have also been filled with anger and sorrow. Social media platforms have been flooded with condolences and calls for the government to take serious measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future. Many criticized the Railways for ignoring the safety of passengers at smaller stations while focusing on ambitious projects like high-speed trains and station redesigns. 
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A Wake-Up Call for the Railways
The Jalgaon tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the critical need for passenger safety upgrades in India’s vast railway network. This accident underscores the urgency to improve basic infrastructure, At Least 11 Killed including well-lit platforms, pedestrian barriers, proper announcements, and a stronger emphasis on public awareness.
Rail experts are urging the Railways to conduct safety audits at smaller and mid-sized junctions to identify and address high-risk zones. Additionally, improving coordination between local governments and railway authorities to respond to emergencies can prevent unnecessary loss of life.
While the victims’ families mourn their loss, this incident should compel policymakers to prioritize safety over aesthetics and expansion. Tragic moments like these are a sobering reminder that every life lost is a failure of the system meant to protect them.
Conclusion
The loss of 11 lives and injuries to many others in the train accident near Jalgaon is not just a statistic but a profound human tragedy. It reveals systemic weaknesses in India’s railway operations and infrastructure, At Least 11 Killed particularly in addressing passenger safety and implementing basic measures to prevent such incidents.
As the Railways Ministry begins its investigation into the incident and promises compensation for the victims’ families, the focus must shift towards long-term solutions. Whether this tragedy becomes a turning point for meaningful reforms or remains just another blot in India’s railway history will depend on the commitment of authorities and stakeholders to ensure that no such incident happens again. In the meantime, the victims and their families must be supported with dignity and compassion as they try to rebuild their shattered lives. ALSO READ:- JD(U) Suspends Manipur Unit Chief for Withdrawing Support to Biren Singh Government 2025